Payroll Officer

Payroll Officer 

We’re looking for a Payroll Officer to join our HR team at our Nottingham site, playing a key role in ensuring the accurate and timely processing of our weekly and monthly payrolls to the highest standards.

About The Compleat Food Group

At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good - great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat.

We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.

With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better.

We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners.

Location: Nottingham

Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 5pm and Friday: 8am - 4pm

Salary:  £28,000 per annum

Purpose:

The Payroll Officer will be responsible for the accurate and timely end-to-end processing of weekly and monthly payrolls. The role will involve validating time and attendance data from UKG, importing payroll information into ADP and providing effective administrative support across the Payroll function.

Key Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities:

• Administer weekly and monthly payroll processing from receipt of inputs through to payroll finalisation, ensuring all deadlines are met. 
• Validate time and attendance data in UKG, investigating and resolving anomalies before importing approved information into ADP. 
• Process payroll changes including starters, leavers, contractual changes, absences, overtime, bonuses, deductions, tax codes, statutory payments and other variable pay elements. 
• Carry out payroll checks, validations and reconciliations to ensure employees are paid accurately and in line with contractual, statutory and company requirements. 
• Prepare and review payroll reports, highlighting discrepancies, exceptions or risks to the Payroll Manager and supporting timely resolution. 
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records and ensure supporting documentation is retained in line with internal controls, audit and compliance requirements. 
• Respond to payroll-related requests from HMRC, the Benefits Agency, banks, building societies, Central Finance and other authorised bodies, ensuring deductions and payments are processed correctly. 
• Support post-payroll activity including payslip checks, payroll reporting, payment files, journals, pension submissions and month-end administration where required. 
• Act as a point of contact for payroll queries from employees and internal stakeholders, providing accurate guidance and escalating complex matters as appropriate. 
• Provide cover for other Payroll team members when required, including supporting payroll finalisation and committing payroll runs in their absence. 
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to strengthen payroll processes, controls, data accuracy and overall service delivery.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Previous experience in a payroll administration role, with practical involvement in weekly and monthly payroll processing across multiple sites, departments or pay groups. 
• Good working knowledge of UK payroll legislation and statutory requirements, including PAYE, National Insurance, tax codes, statutory sick pay, statutory family leave payments, student loans, attachment of earnings and HMRC reporting requirements. 
• Experience using payroll systems, preferably ADP, and time and attendance systems, preferably UKG, including data input, validation, exception checking and report extraction. 
• Understanding of payroll processes for starters, leavers, contractual changes, absences, overtime, bonuses, deductions, pension contributions and other variable pay elements. 
• Ability to complete payroll checks, reconciliations and data validations with a high level of accuracy, identifying discrepancies and escalating issues appropriately. 
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to sort, filter, review and reconcile payroll data using formulas and basic data analysis tools. 
• Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to work methodically when handling high volumes of sensitive payroll information. 
• Understanding of confidentiality, GDPR and data protection requirements when handling employee pay, personal data and employment information. 
• Good communication skills, with the ability to respond professionally to payroll queries from employees, managers, HR, Finance and external bodies. 
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workload, manage competing deadlines and maintain accuracy during busy payroll periods. 
• A proactive, flexible and team-focused approach, with a willingness to support colleagues, follow established controls and contribute to continuous improvement in payroll processes.

Why Join Us?

At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing and career growth:

Financial & Lifestyle Benefits:

• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
• 33 days annual leave with the option to purchase extra
• Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform
• Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
• Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
• EV charging points - available at selected sites

Health & Wellbeing:

• 24/7 access to Grocery Aid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
• Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts
• Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
• Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
• Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid

Career Growth & Development:

• Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
• Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
• Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
• Company Mentoring Scheme  to add depth and really support your career journey
• Recognition through Club Compleat rewards

Community & Culture:

• 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
• Charity initiatives and fundraising events
• Team socials to connect and celebrate together
• Employee networks & support groups - including Women @ Compleat
• New baby gift for new parents

What You Should Know About How We Recruit

At The Compleat Food Group, we believe great teams are built on difference. We create an inclusive, respectful environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and are able to be themselves at work.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect. If you need a reasonable adjustment at any stage of our recruitment process, just let us know, we’ll support you — confidentially and with care.

We hire the best people for our roles, not the same people. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, we focus on what you do and the impact you could make in our business. Our recruitment process is fair, accessible, and designed to give everyone an equal chance.

You’ll also find benefits that support people at every life stage, plus active internal networks — including Women @ Compleat, LGBTQIA+, and Neurodiversity